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N3

Kanji 相: meanings, readings, and example words.

3 min read

Kanji 相: inter-, mutual, together, each other, minister of state, councillor, aspect, phase, physiognomy

Key takeaways

Kanji 相: inter-, mutual, together, each other, minister of state, councillor, aspect, phase, physiognomy. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N3

Meaning

inter-mutualtogethereach otherminister of statecouncilloraspectphasephysiognomy

On reading

ソウショウ

Kun reading

あい-

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 相

inter-, mutual, together, each other, minister of state, councillor, aspect, phase, physiognomy

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

木 + 目

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This kanji depicts an eye (目) looking closely at a tree (木). Just as the eye and the tree face each other, it represents 'mutual' interaction or a 'partner.' It is commonly used in words like consultation (相談) or partner (相手).

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

ソウ
  • 外相がいしょう

    foreign minister

  • 真相しんそう

    truth / real situation

  • 相応そうおう

    suitability / appropriateness / fitness

  • 相場そうば

    market price / speculation / estimation

  • 蔵相ぞうしょう

    minister of finance

  • 様相ようそう

    aspect / appearance / condition

  • 相違そうい

    difference / discrepancy / variation

  • 相互そうご

    mutual / reciprocal

Kun reading

あい-
  • あい

    mutual / reciprocal / together

  • 相変わらずあいかわらず

    as usual / same as always

  • 相対あいたい

    confrontation / face-to-face / mutual

  • 相手あいて

    partner / companion / opponent

Commonly used words

  • 外相
    がいしょう

    foreign minister

  • 真相
    しんそう

    truth / real situation

  • 相応
    そうおう

    suitability / appropriateness / fitness

  • 相場
    そうば

    market price / speculation / estimation

  • 蔵相
    ぞうしょう

    minister of finance

  • 様相
    ようそう

    aspect / appearance / condition

  • あい

    mutual / reciprocal / together

  • 相変わらず
    あいかわらず

    as usual / same as always

  • 相対
    あいたい

    confrontation / face-to-face / mutual

  • 相手
    あいて

    partner / companion / opponent

Example sentences

Example 1

私たちは互に助け合っている。

Translation

We help each other mutually.

Example 2

この手と話すのは難しい。

Translation

It's difficult to talk with this person.

Example 3

彼は変わらず元気です。

Translation

He is as energetic as ever.

Example 4

天気は変わらず暑いですね。

Translation

The weather is as hot as usual.

Kanji 相: inter-, mutual, together, each other, minister of state, councillor, aspect, phase, physiognomy | Daily Nihongo